Drexel University College of Medicine - Medic Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 12 text:

CHARLES S. CAMERGN, M.D. President I salute you as physicians with sincere admiration and pride, and I wel- come you to the company of alumni of which you are youngest and yet proba ly the best prepared of any who have Cpreceeded you. Part of this distinction derives from recent strides of me ical discovery and part of it is dividend of the quality of medical education which has been achieved here. I ex ect that you recognize that your educative experi- ence has been of a iiigh order, and I ho e, therefore. that you will hold Hahnemann in grateful and loyal regard, always. Not long ago. the President of Great Britain's General Medical Council. Lord Cohen. stated. quite seriously, that robots will soon diagnose and treat patients, that electrodes would be applied to determine their condi- tion, that a needle in a vein oi one arm would collect blood lor automa- tic analysis, and that all these data will be fed into a computer, analysed. the most likely diagnosis established, and the appropriate treatment automatically administered through a second need e in the other arm.' However, the opportunity for human intervention was not entirely ab- sent from this scheme of medical practice, for the prophet added, The effects will be monitored and the treatment will be adjusted. if neces- sary, Apparently it is doctors who will do the monitoring and the adjusting. I want to suggest to you. as you enter upon your careers as healers, that while Lord Cohen's prediction may seem somewhat overdrawn, the small beginnings of robot medicine are already evident. The increasing- ly technologic character of the practise of medicine seems to be ecli s- ing in some degree personal va ues. I regard this as an understandable and Cperhaps natural sequence, but it is nevertheless regrettable and it is avoi able. One need only to acknowledge the deep, underlying, ever present, and immensely important part which the human spirit has in any illness. Call it mind. psyche, ego or what you will, it seeks solace and encouragement and warming concern: and it seeks these things of the one in w om hope and confidence are placed - the physician. The needs of the spirit, usually mute, are very real components of illness, and thgf will not be met by improved machinery nor even by better drugs. nly another spirit can reach them. So, at the outset of what is certain to be a tremendously exciting rofes- sional life, I ask you to resolve to make full use of every new advance, but not at the expense of your personal commitment to the importance ot' human values in treating sick people. If you succeed in conjoining the science of medicine with the heart of the physician, you will be a complete doctor. I extend to each of you my sincere wish for many years of full life and of deep satisfactions which go with every high calling.

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5 Wilbur W. Oaks, A.B.. M.D. Associate Professor. Medicine Martin Baren, A.B., M.D. Assistant Professor, Pediatrics X 1 ,Z 3 Herman S. Belmont. A-XB.. M.D. Professor. Psychiatry Head. Section ol' Child Psychiatry W. Budd Wentz. ABN Nick.. Nil? Research Assistant Prott-swf. Olwstetrics .intl Gvnccoloux . d. QQ

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. 'A WILLIAM F. KELLOW, M.D. Dean There is a story told about a group of Irish youngsters who believed that there was great adventure to be found in a garden which lay down a road and across a field from their home. Filled with the zeal for discovery. they traveled the road and crossed the field but found the garden surrounded by a high wall. At first disheartened y this obstacle, they thought again ofthe treasure beyond and then tossed their hats over the wall. Daring not to re- turn home without their hats, they put their ingenuity to work and scaled the wall and enjoyed the pleasures ofthe garden evermore. A decade or so ago a group of Philadelphians were faced with the Question of continuing a century-old medical college an its hospital which had suffered severe finan- cial reversals. These men foresaw the medical needs of this nation and the importance of this college and hospi- tal to the entire community. In spite of obstacles which at first seemed overwhelming, they set about planning and working. Now their foresight is evident, for the redevel- opment of Hahnemann is well underway. Your four years at this medical college have been occu- pied larfgely with learning the facts of medical science. ome o today's facts, however, will be undermined by tomorrow's discoveries and others will be superseded by new and more pertinent information. The faculty has em- phasized, therefore, that there is more to higher educa- tion than the acguisition of factual knowledge. Judgment and courage ad ed to knowledge provide the rich earth from whic great men grow. The struggle for further development which you have witnessed during your short period at Hahnemann should have provided an example of dedication and courage for you to emulate. lf Hahnemann has played such a role in the early years of vour lives in addition to assisting your acquisition of medical knowledge. then youaare well pre- pared for the heavy responsibilities ot this profession. On the other hand. if you have not advanced in the maturity of manhood as well as in the knowledge of scholarship during this period. then you have merely ac- quired another degree and you still have a long journey before you become a revered and trusted physician. Centuries ago it was written: Put not your trust in princes. And so as you take vour leave from this college l urge you to give thought to those personal qualities which make a prince a king. Dwell on the seasoning of your personality. Envy discretion and thoughtful judgment for these are the traits which will guide you to a creditable conclusion. After you have finallv determined the right. then have courage. Copy the Irish lads, if you will, and toss your hats over the wall. Use your talents and skills and overcome the. obstacles in your ath. And mav the pleasures of satisfactory achievement Ee yours evermorel